Boston Practical information

Visas

Since the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security following the events of September 11, 2001, immigration now falls under the purview of US Citizenship and Immigration Service (www.uscis.gov).

Getting into the United States can be a bureaucratic nightmare, depending on your country of origin. To make matters worse, the rules are rapidly changing. For up-to-date information about visas and immigration, check with the US State Department (www.unitedstatesvisas.gov).

Most foreign visitors to the US need a visa. However, there is a visa waiver program through which citizens of certain countries may enter the US for stays of 90 days for less without first obtaining a US visa. This list is subject to continual re-examination and bureaucratic rejiggering. Currently, these countries include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK. Under this program, you must have a round-trip ticket or ticket to any onward foreign destination and you will not be allowed to extend your stay beyond 90 days. ***For information on the updated requirements for the Visa Waiver Program see the US Visa section of this website.***

In any case, your passport should be valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay and you'll need to submit a recent passport-size photo with the visa application. Documents of financial stability and/or guarantees from a US resident are sometimes required, particularly for those from developing countries. Visa applicants may be required to 'demonstrate binding obligations' that will ensure their return home. Because of this requirement, those planning to travel through other countries before arriving in the US are generally better off applying for their US visa while they are still in their home country.

The validity period for a US visitor visa depends on your home country. The actual length of time you'll be allowed to stay in the US is determined by the citizen and immigration services at your port of entry.